Chapter 7: Quidditch
" I've always liked quiet people: You never know if they're dancing in a daydream or if they're carrying the weight of the world." – John Green
It was finally time. After all the anticipation and build up, the first Quidditch game of the season was due to kick off within hours. The Great Hall was buzzing as students rushed past and crammed onto benches, chatting excitedly about the imminent game. Nothing got Hogwarts talking quite as much as Gryffindor vs Slytherin.
It seemed as if the whole school took sides in the rivalry. Although, admittedly most Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws chose to support the former. Ava would be lying to say it didn't sting a little that her house seemed to be the least popular. But she could understand other students' reservations and, at the moment, it appeared to be the only thing capable of reuniting her with her prickly housemates.
In fact, for the first time in weeks, she had been able to enjoy her breakfast in peace, sat next to Emma who was confidently explaining her quidditch tactics to her captivated audience at the Slytherin table. Not even Avery, Mulciber, Snape or Wilkes had shot Ava a look of loathing or passed a snide comment, all of them too interested in the match ahead to bother with tormenting her.
It was rather nice to have a bit of normality back.
Ava glanced down at the emerald and silver scarf wrapped around her neck, a small smile creeping onto her face. Of course, she had her differences and difficulties with some of her house, but she still felt immensely proud at times like these. It seemed to sum up all the good qualities of Slytherin – fraternity, ambition and determination – and it was hard to not get swept up in the feverish atmosphere.
"I'm surprised she's managing to eat this morning."
Ava almost jumped at the sudden voice beside her, startled as she turned to see Evan grinning widely and gesturing at Emma's nearly empty plate. She shook off her surprise and managed to stammer out a response.
"Well no one could ever accuse Emma of not being confident when it comes to Quidditch." She told him quietly, forcing a small smile onto her face as he chuckled softly at her joke.
Despite the fact they shared potions together, things had been very distant between the two of them since the Hogsmeade incident. Although, to his credit, Evan had expressed his disappointment that she had skipped out on the Slytherin's Halloween party.
"How are you feeling?" Ava asked politely, a part of her rather eager to continue the pleasantries. It had felt like so long since she'd been able to talk to Evan without arguing. It felt nice…
Evan glanced at her, his blue eyes curious as they swept across her face. It seemed like he too was pleased by the civil conversation they were managing to maintain. "Good." He told her, a smug grin growing on his face as he reached a hand up to cockily ruffle his hair. "We're ready to take them on. Gryffindor won't stand a chance."
Ava felt her gaze drift across to the table in question, her eyes softening as they fell upon a smiling Remus Lupin and laughing Sirius as they attempted to encourage James to shovel down his food. Clearly, the Gryffindor Captain had a case of nerves this morning.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them as Evan followed her gaze to the Gryffindor table. His blue eyes narrowed as they landed upon the four fifth-years. Clearly, he knew exactly who she was thinking about.
Ava frowned slightly, turning her attention back down to her breakfast as she prodded her scrambled eggs with her folk. She really wished things didn't have to be this awkward. Surely it was possible to be in Slytherin and still get along with other students?
Why did the others have to make such a big deal out of it?
"Listen Ava…" Evan murmured quietly, leaning forward as he closed the distance between them. "I'm sorry about everything." He scratched the back of his neck anxiously as if was struggling to get his words out. It was strangely endearing. Evidently, he had been giving the topic a lot of thought. "It shouldn't have gotten that far."
Ava stared at Evan in astonishment. Never had she expected an apology from him. After all, Evan had always stubbornly stood by his own convictions and had never apologised to anyone in the past. She supposed his adamant nature came from belonging to generations of obscene wealth, privilege and power. A family that had never had to apologise, nor would ever be willing to show weakness.
So, his words meant an awful lot.
"Thank you Evan." She murmured quietly, flashing him a small smile as she nodded her head in acknowledgement. "That's very…gracious of you. I really appreciate it."
Instinctively, she glanced at Mulciber and Wilkes, remembering all too well how hostile they had been in the Three Broomsticks. Evan seemed to read her mind as he let out a low chuckle and patted her hand gently.
"Don't worry about them." Evan told her with a confident grin. "They won't be bothering you anymore."
Ava could only smile in response. With Evan's words and reassurance, it felt as if an invisible weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Ava was so eager to escape the bustling entrance hall outside, managing to squeeze through the tiny gaps between students. However, in her desperation, she didn't think to slow down as she flew down a side corridor.
Unfortunately for her, Sirius Black seemed to be blocking her way.
He let out a shriek of surprise as she crashed into him, the huge pile of books in his hands falling to the floor with a thud. Ava felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she bent down to help scoop them up, apologising profusely as Sirius barked with laughter.
"Attacking me in the corridors now Burke?"
Ava merely rolled her eyes at his teasing as she focused on collecting the books scattered across the floor. She hesitated for a moment as she reached out for the final book Advanced Transfiguration for Experts. It seemed like a strange book for a fifth-year OWL student to be carrying around. "Since when have you done extra homework?" She asked raising an eyebrow as she handed it over to Sirius. "Actually, since when have you done homework at all Black?"
He grinned sheepishly, quickly stashing the book into his bag, almost as if he didn't want her to enquire any further into the book's contents. It was all rather mysterious and naturally piqued Ava' interest.
"Shouldn't you be congratulating me on becoming a model student?" Sirius quipped cheerfully.
Ava couldn't hold back the responding scoff that escaped her lips. "You a model student?" She teased playfully, folding her arms across her chest. "As if!"
Sirius's grey eyes twinkled with mirth as he took a step closer. "Well, maybe not a model student." He pondered thoughtfully as he rested an arm on the wall beside her. "But, would you agree that I have some redeeming qualities Burke?"
"I knew you'd bring that back up eventually." Ava muttered, once again cursing herself for allowing Benjy to interrogate her in the library. She knew Sirius would eventually use the words to haunt her.
But the troublesome Gryffindor student only chuckled loudly at her dismay, his shoulders shaking as he leant against the stone wall.
"Forgive me." Sirius told her, raising his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm suffering from a lack of sleep this morning. James woke me up at 4am to chat about broom handling techniques." He raised his eyebrows at her teasingly and flashed her a suggestive grin.
Ava wrinkled her nose in distaste at his lewd joke, but failed to keep the smile off her face. If there was one thing Sirius Black was capable of it was lightening the mood of any conversation with his cheeky sense of humour.
"Emma's strangely the exact same." Ava replied, grinning widely at the fact that the two opposing captains seemed so similar in so many ways when it came to Quidditch. In fact, in many respects, Gryffindors and Slytherins weren't too dissimilar at all – their pride usually coming first and foremost.
Sirius hummed in thought. "Yes, she seems pretty…intense about the whole Quidditch thing." He commented, running a hand through his dark hair. "Well, intense is a nice way of putting it I suppose."
"Ah well, we Slytherins are proud." Ava replied wisely, the grin slipping from her face as she realised her mistake of bringing Sirius's most despised house up. It just felt increasingly difficult to hold things back when talking to him – especially when they now seemed to be on much familiar terms.
Fortunately, Sirius's sense of humour always enabled him to break the tension and he reacted in an instant. Ava could only laugh as he scrunched his nose up in distaste and pointed in mock horror at her scarf.
"I've never been a fan of green." He told her, flashing her a wide grin as she shook her head in bemusement and playfully rolled her eyes.
"Well, I've never been a fan of scruffy ties." She retorted. Before Sirius could respond, she had flicked her wand at him and his tie had neatly folded itself around his neck. She reached forward to tighten it and playfully gave it a tug. "There much better." She mused, her fingers lingering on the silk fabric.
Sirius paused for a moment, looking down at the ruby and gold stripes as if they had turned into fireworks. He seemed completely stunned at her intervention.
Ava shifted uncomfortably, the odd expression on his face making her slightly uneasy. Had she completely overstepped the mark? Was today just a reminder of how different the two of them were?
Ava immediately dropped her hold on his tie and quickly took a step back. "Well, I'd best be going." She mumbled, slightly embarrassed at the turn of events. Perhaps she had to stop forgetting which houses they belonged to. She was sure that it still mattered to Sirius anyway. "See you around Black."
Her words seemed to snap Sirius out of his trance. He shook his head, his usual cocky grin reappearing as he waved her goodbye. "I'd wish you luck but…I really hope Slytherin get crushed."
Ava just laughed softly at his taunt, shaking her head as she disappeared down the corridor.
The entire match seemed like blur. Ava found it to recall exactly what had occurred, but one thing she knew for certain was that Slytherin hadn't played fair. They hadn't necessarily cheated, but bending the rules seemed to be an exceptional talent of the team in emerald.
Much to James Potter's chagrin…
Indeed, the Gryffindor captain was still ranting over their loss and gesturing furiously at the smirking Slytherin team even as Madam Hooch attempted to shoo him away. Evan's devious smirk didn't help matters as Professor McGonagall began shaking her fist in anger.
The roars of celebration and fury echoed around the pitch as Ava drew closer to Emma, desperately trying to avoid the glares of the Gryffindor supporters as she made her way to the group. Even if it hadn't been the cleanest of wins, she felt like she still had to be there to congratulate her friend on her own personal victory as a successful captain.
Professor Slughorn seemed rather oblivious to the outrage kicking off around him, beaming widely as he clapped Emma on the shoulder in congratulations. "An excellent game, my dear girl."
Emma flashed him a wide smile before she spotted Ava, her grin widening as she threw her hands up in the air. "I knew we were going to beat them." She gloated victoriously, her eyes shining with pride as she surveyed the downtrodden Gryffindors. "I told you that those broom handling techniques would work."
Ava laughed softly, shaking her head in playful dismay. "Whatever you say Emma. I just wanted to say congratulations before the chaos begins."
Emma beamed brightly in response; her face flushed with excitement. "Thanks. What an opening game eh?"
"I mean it wasn't the cleanest of games was it?" Ava murmured under her breath, sneaking a glance at Evan as the Slytherin boys patted him fondly on the back. After all, it had been his dirty tactics on the pitch that had cost Gryffindor their seeker…just as he reached to capture the snitch.
Deep down Ava knew it wasn't right for her house to be celebrating such a crude victory, but in everyone else's eyes Evan's behaviour now made him a Slytherin hero.
Emma shrugged carelessly, clearly not interested at all in the finer qualities of sportsmanship. "It really doesn't matter in the end, does it? We won."
Ava struggled to conceal her frown as she turned away to survey the losing team. Potter was now scarlet red and practically foaming at the mouth as he continued to shout obscenities at Evan and the rest of the Slytherin chasers. Even Sirius seemed unable to calm him as he attempted to wrestle him back from the crowd.
She couldn't find herself completely agreeing with Emma's judgement. It felt like it mattered.
"Oh, come on Ava, don't overthink things again. Just come and enjoy the party!" Emma exclaimed, rolling her eyes in exasperation as she linked her arm through Ava's and gave her a firm tug towards the castle.
However, before she could be pulled away entirely, Ava found her eyes meeting with a pair of all too familiar grey eyes. The mischievous sparkle she had seen in them earlier had disappeared and had been replaced by a much colder expression.
It only lasted a moment, but she felt as if Sirius's gaze haunted her all the way back to the dungeons.
In spite of her inner conflict, Ava found herself enjoying the afterparty. Indeed, she had quite missed the familiar surroundings of the Slytherin Common Room over the past few weeks. In some ways it was even nice to be reunited with her fellow housemates in the triumphant atmosphere.
Although, it definitely could have been the firewhiskey talking.
Emma had taken it upon herself to ensure that Ava's glass never ran dry, generously topping her up every chance she got. Ava had the sneaking suspicious her friend was attempting to distract her from the thorny issue of the Slytherin team's less-than-friendly tactics and all the trouble that had happened recently.
It seemed to be working… Dorcas would be horrified. Benjy probably not so much.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Ava grinned widely at the familiar voice, spinning around to face an amused-looking Regulus. "You know what I think I actually might be." She told him, laughing softly as he raised an eyebrow at her uncharacteristic carefree behaviour.
"I think that might just be the firewhiskey." Regulus quipped.
"Perhaps!" Ava laughed louder, shaking her head playfully. "Congratulations by the way. It looks like you're Slytherin's star seeker."
Regulus chuckled quietly, his dark hair falling across his face as he leant forward. "I don't know about that…but, thanks anyway."
"Regulus, get over here!"
Before she could open her mouth to respond, Ava felt her smile fade as she saw Snape and the others lurking behind Regulus, calling out and gesturing for him to join them. His eyes followed her gaze and seemed to soften as he realised the predicament.
"Ava, I'm-"
She quickly shook her head. "It's fine." She murmured, forcing a smile onto her face. "I don't want to hold you back." She told him, ignoring the annoyance she felt at him being torn away so soon into their conversation.
It felt as if they hadn't had any time to speak since Slughorn's party and Ava found herself desperate to try to rekindle their friendship. The last thing she wanted was for him to be even more distant.
But Regulus could only return her sad smile before reluctantly turning away and making his way towards the group.
Ava sighed deeply, sinking back into the comfortable leather couch. Her favourite spot had always been perched in front of the lake, the emerald green light reflecting from the water had an oddly calming presence.
It felt like the perfect spot to unwind after such a hectic day.
"Need another drink?"
Ava jumped at the sudden interruption, a small smile appearing on her face as Evan handed her a glass. "Thanks." She murmured, clutching it close as she curled up on the seat.
Evan gazed at her for a moment, sighing softly before taking a seat beside her. A moment of comfortable silence passed before he decided to speak.
"You're special, you know that?"
Ava stared at Evan in surprise, before ducking her head in embarrassment and mumbling incoherently in protest. There was a strange tone to his voice, something almost dangerous that she had never heard before.
Evan chuckled quietly at her resistance, reaching out a hand to gently push her hair back from her face. His touch made Ava shudder slightly as his fingers brushed against her cheek. "I mean it. There's something different about you Ava." He told her, his blue eyes piercing as they swept across her face. "I like it."
He leant forward and Ava felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart thundering against her chest as his face hovered inches from hers. Before she had the chance to react or even think about the predicament, his head dipped forward and he had captured her lips in a soft kiss.
Ava froze in shock, stunned by his actions. Never had she imagined Evan making a move like this on her. Part of her felt completely confused about his behaviour and wanted to pull away, but the sweet pressure of his lips and the sensation of his fingers drifting down her arms sent a thrill of excitement through her.
One that she felt dangerously drawn to…
So, for that fleeting moment, Ava allowed herself to forget the rest of the Common Room and all of the troubles that had plagued her mind for the past two months. It felt wonderfully normal to stop thinking for once, her mind blank and her body relaxing underneath Evan's touch.
Besides, he was handsome and charming. He had made a big effort with her today – even going as far to apologise for his and the other's behaviour over the last few months. They had everything in common. It made sense.
But, as Evan deepened the kiss and his arm tightened around her waist, she felt a chill creep up her spine. Something still felt wrong.
A/N Sorry for crashing the ship! I promise there are good reasons behind it. In the next chapter, you'll get to see more of Evan, Sirius's reaction to their relationship, a wise Remus, a big fight and a very sweet scene. I think I'll be able to get it up sooner than this one, just because I've been looking forward to writing it ever since I started.
Thank you so much for all your support so far – especially those who have kindly left reviews. Let me know what you think of this chapter!
Vvls – Awwh thank you! I really do love how different Ava and Sirius are in so many ways. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
v. 1988 – You have to love a bit of dorky!James. It's so great to hear that you like Regulus. He's a difficult character to write, but I always loved his story in the books.
.2019 – Thank you so much!
Wikked – Awwh thank you so much for your review. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. I've got lots of plans for it – although I think I may be updating fortnightly going forward as things are so busy at the moment.